PRP for thinning hair, skin and heel pain

PRP stands for platelet-rich plasma. Platelets are the blood cells best known for clotting, and they also carry growth factors that the body uses to repair tissue. PRP treatment concentrates those platelets from a small sample of your blood and places them where repair is wanted.

Because PRP comes from your own blood, the risk of an allergic reaction to the material is very low.

Preparing PRP

A blood sample is drawn from the arm, much like a routine blood test. The tube then goes into a centrifuge, which spins it fast enough to separate the blood into layers by weight.

Simplified illustration. Layer sizes vary between samples.

Red blood cells are heaviest and settle at the bottom. Plasma, the pale liquid part of blood, sits on top. The platelets gather in a thin band where the two meet, and that platelet-rich plasma is drawn off for treatment.

1. 1Blood drawA small sample is taken from the arm.
2. 2CentrifugeThe sample is spun until it separates into layers.
3. 3Collect PRPThe platelet-rich layer is drawn off.
4. 4TreatmentPRP is injected or applied to the treatment area.

Thinning hair and hair loss

For hair, PRP is injected into the scalp where the hair is thinning. The growth factors act on the follicles in that area. PRP for hair is given as a series of appointments, with the timing set by your Nurse after a scalp assessment.

Skin and collagen

On the face, PRP is used to boost collagen. It can be injected into the skin or applied during microneedling, when the fresh micro-channels let it reach the dermis. People choose it for dull skin, fine lines and texture.

Heel pain from plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is irritation of the thick band of tissue under the foot that runs from the heel to the toes. PRP is injected near the irritated tissue to support healing. It is an option for heel pain that has not settled with rest, stretching and supportive shoes. Research on PRP for plantar fasciitis is still growing, and your provider will talk through whether it suits you. The foot care guide covers heel pain in more detail.

• Scalphair loss and thinning hair
• Facecollagen boost, alone or with microneedling
• Heelplantar fasciitis

Every PRP treatment starts with a free consultation, where your Nurse reviews your health history and explains the number of sessions likely to be needed.